Welcome to Blackpast

Welcome to BlackPast

This 7,286 page reference center is dedicated to providing information to the general public on African American history and the history of more than one billion people of African ancestry around the world.  We invite you to explore and use all the resources of BlackPast.

Explore African American History

Click here to learn more.
John Lovelle Withers, II (1948- )
Boyz II Men, Genting Highlands, Malaysia, 2007
Click here to learn more.
Boyz II Men (1988- )
Click here to learn more.
(1949) Washington State Law Against Employment Discrimination
Click here to learn more.
(1970) Shirley Chisholm, “I Am For the Equal Rights Amendment.”

Explore Global African History

Click here to learn more.
Gondar, Ethiopia (ca. 1635- )
Click here to learn more.
George Weah (1966- )
Walter Rodney
Click here to learn more.
Walter Rodney (1942-1979)
Click here to learn more.
(1974) M. Gatsha Buthelezi, “Towards Black Fulfillment”

Perspectives in African American and Global African History

Three Harlem women, photo by James Van Der Zee
Click here to learn more.
The Passing of Passing: A Peculiarly American Racial Tradition Approaches Irrelevance
Click here to learn more.
Crossing Boundaries of Race, Crossing Boundaries of Love
Click here to learn more.
Juneteenth: The Growth of an African American Holiday (1865- )
Click here to learn more.
Jazz in Occupied China: Black Jazzmen at the Japanese Prison Camp in Weihsien, China during World War II

Special Features & Resources

101 African American Firsts
Genealogy Resources
Major African American Office Holders since 1641
STEM Innovators

Partner Products and Community Announcements

Zoka Coffee Button
Bobblehead Hall of Fame button